Row over council plan to end village centre lease

Residents gathered outside the Rothley Centre while the council met inside

A row has broken out over a parish council's decision to end its lease on a village community centre.

The Rothley Centre in Rothley, Leicestershire, is owned by Charnwood Borough Council and has been used by the parish council for a number of years.

But last month it agreed to terminate the lease at the end of 2025 due to concerns over rising costs, prompting concerns from residents.

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the authority said the decision was "not made lightly" and was a necessary step to safeguard the financial stability" of the parish council.

Looking ahead to the next financial year, the authority claims it is projected to subsidise the community centre by £30,000, with additional costs for maintenance and repairs.

"It is neither fair nor sustainable to continue transferring these costs to Rothley residents, most of whom do not utilise the centre," the parish council said.

It plans to relocate to the Village Hall and says it has "coordinated time slots for some Rothley-based users" to move there, too.

However, it states "a few larger groups, organised by non-Rothley residents, could not be accommodated and will need to seek alternative venues."

'Upset and worried'

The proposal to end the lease was considered at a meeting on 17 February and took place in a "confidential session" due to the "sensitive nature" of the discussion.

Out of the 10 elected councillors, nine supported the proposal, the council says, and there was one abstention.

The decision prompted more than 100 people to lobby the parish council as it held a meeting on Monday night.

Among them was Jess Sallis, who runs the Jessica Michelle School of Dance from the centre.

She said she was "shocked, upset and worried" about the plans.

"We have 200 kids here, from 18 months to adult, and we've been given no alternative of where to go," she added.

Jess Sallis says she will struggle to find an alternative venue if the Rothley Centre closes

Becca Jones, who co-owns a coffee shop and card shop nearby, added: "The Rothley Centre is such an important part of the local community as there are so many activities and opportunities for local people to get involved in.

"There were the dance classes, a bridge class, art class, so much going on.

"It brings in people from outside Rothley, which boosts our business."

Charnwood Borough Council said it was "disappointed to learn" of the parish council's decision, adding there would be a meeting later this month to "determine if a mutually agreed solution can be found".

A spokesperson for the authority said: "If an agreement cannot be reached then the borough council is determined that the Rothley Centre continues to be a viable and vibrant asset for the community.

"The borough council is clear that there are no plans to develop the site in any sense as the Rothley Centre is seen as an important building at the heart of the community."